A resolution filed by 11 senators seeking to adopt a federal system of government patterned after that of the United States caught Malacañang by surprise, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye told the media in a briefing yesterday.

However, Bunye said, “We will not stand in the way of Charter Change but the President has said that, realistically, the time left is not sufficient, and that she'd rather leave the matter to her successor.”

Bunye recalled that the President ran on a platform of political and economic reform, and one of them is Charter Change.

Thus, she will not stop the process if Congress leaders deem it wise and proper to proceed, Bunye stressed in the press statement.

Asked how Malacañang perceives the move of the senators who signed and submitted their turn-federal resolution last Wednesday, Bunye said “We cannot speak for the senators...”

“We can ask the (resolution) sponsors why pinu-push ito; why, to the great surprise of many, they are pushing cha-cha at this time – and the mode is even Con-Ass (constituent assembly),” Bunye said in the same press statement.

“The only one who can answer is the (main) sponsor. I believe many sectors are surprised. Personally, I was surprised,” he also said.

“And to think many of them (had earlier) said (that) if and when they agree (to) Cha-Cha, they will favor ConCon (Constitutional convention), and (only) after 2010.”

“And (then) suddenly there is proposal supported by quite a number of senators,” Bunye noted, the press statement added.

Asked what the proponents could gain from a federal system, or what their agenda could be, considering the fact that many senators are on their last terms, Bunye said “I don't know. Ask Senator Pimentel (the resolution’s sponsor)… I don't know, the best person to answer would be the sponsors themselves.”

The Senate federalism resolution was also signed by, alphabetically, Senators Edgardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., the statement from Malacañang also said.*

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